All Night Prayer Meeting: Luke 6:12-16
“12) It was at this time that He went off to the mountain to pray, and He spent the whole night in prayer to God. 13) And when day came, He called His disciples to Him and chose twelve of them, whom He also named as apostles: 14) Simon, whom He also named Peter, and Andrew his brother; and James and John; and Philip and Bartholomew; 15) and Matthew and Thomas; James the son of Alphaeus, and Simon who was called the Zealot; Judas the son of James, 16) and Judas Iscariot, who became a traitor.” Luke 6:12-16
Jesus was about to pick His twelve apostles. It was a huge decision. He proceeded it with a night of prayer. Ministry and leadership must always be bathed in prayer! Leaders have a big target on them.
Why did it take so long?
The text does not say, but I suspect He was wrestling over “Judas Iscariot, who became a traitor.” Did Jesus get it wrong? Was it to fulfill prophecy? It is a difficult question.
I suspect He genuinely loved Judas, just as the others. He knew the end from the beginning. No amount of prayer, even from Jesus Himself could force free will!
Judas was numbered with the eleven, despite the fact that he would become a traitor.
We now have a flashback to the three temptations in the wilderness. Satan left Him for an opportune time. Often the most difficult trials come from within the inner circle.
And so the stage was set for His betrayal. The team was about to be torn and tested. Judas disguised himself so well, none of the others guessed the guile in his heart.
He was sent out with the others in groups of two. He preformed signs and wonders in the name of Jesus, yet he was a traitor. It shows that the Name of Jesus carries authority even when coming from a Judas.
I often think of Judas when I read Matthew 7:22-23; “23) Many will say to Me on that day, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in Your name, and in Your name cast out demons, and in Your name perform many miracles?’ 23) And then I will declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness.’”
It was a long night of prayer. Jesus travailed over the path in front of each of His leaders. Judas would take his own life. All but John would die a martyr’s death. The appointments He was about to make had monumental implications for these twelve men.
All who follow Jesus must be prepared to deny self to serve the Master. According to Romans 8:27, Jesus travails in prayer over every believer.
I take great consolation in the intercession of Jesus on my behalf. Nothing short of His active power, glory and grace could account for the wonders that crown the life of those who sincerely seek and serve Him.
Daily Bible Commentary By Terry Baxter: Cofounder of GoServ Global.
Sent from my iPhone
“12) It was at this time that He went off to the mountain to pray, and He spent the whole night in prayer to God. 13) And when day came, He called His disciples to Him and chose twelve of them, whom He also named as apostles: 14) Simon, whom He also named Peter, and Andrew his brother; and James and John; and Philip and Bartholomew; 15) and Matthew and Thomas; James the son of Alphaeus, and Simon who was called the Zealot; Judas the son of James, 16) and Judas Iscariot, who became a traitor.” Luke 6:12-16
Jesus was about to pick His twelve apostles. It was a huge decision. He proceeded it with a night of prayer. Ministry and leadership must always be bathed in prayer! Leaders have a big target on them.
Why did it take so long?
The text does not say, but I suspect He was wrestling over “Judas Iscariot, who became a traitor.” Did Jesus get it wrong? Was it to fulfill prophecy? It is a difficult question.
I suspect He genuinely loved Judas, just as the others. He knew the end from the beginning. No amount of prayer, even from Jesus Himself could force free will!
Judas was numbered with the eleven, despite the fact that he would become a traitor.
We now have a flashback to the three temptations in the wilderness. Satan left Him for an opportune time. Often the most difficult trials come from within the inner circle.
And so the stage was set for His betrayal. The team was about to be torn and tested. Judas disguised himself so well, none of the others guessed the guile in his heart.
He was sent out with the others in groups of two. He preformed signs and wonders in the name of Jesus, yet he was a traitor. It shows that the Name of Jesus carries authority even when coming from a Judas.
I often think of Judas when I read Matthew 7:22-23; “23) Many will say to Me on that day, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in Your name, and in Your name cast out demons, and in Your name perform many miracles?’ 23) And then I will declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness.’”
It was a long night of prayer. Jesus travailed over the path in front of each of His leaders. Judas would take his own life. All but John would die a martyr’s death. The appointments He was about to make had monumental implications for these twelve men.
All who follow Jesus must be prepared to deny self to serve the Master. According to Romans 8:27, Jesus travails in prayer over every believer.
I take great consolation in the intercession of Jesus on my behalf. Nothing short of His active power, glory and grace could account for the wonders that crown the life of those who sincerely seek and serve Him.
Daily Bible Commentary By Terry Baxter: Cofounder of GoServ Global.
Sent from my iPhone
